The Path of Alchemy: Energetic Healing & the World of Natural Magic (Pathways to Enlightenment) [Paperback]

Mark Stavish (Author)

Book Description

Series: Pathways to Enlightenment | Publication Date: November 1, 2006

Alchemy offers tremendous insight into alternative therapies, new medicines, and the depths of the human mind. Illuminating a truly esoteric practice, Mark Stavish reveals how to create and apply "medicines for the soul" in this remarkable guide to plant and mineral alchemy.

The Path of Alchemy introduces the history and basic laws of this ancient practice, and explains how it ties into Qabala, tarot, astrology, and the four elements. Safe, modern techniques-based on spagyrics (plant alchemy)-for producing distillations, stones, tinctures, and elixirs are given, along with their uses in physical healing, spiritual growth, psychic experiments, initiation, consecration, spellwork, and more. Each chapter includes meditations, projects, and suggested reading as aids to "inner transformation," an equally important aspect of alchemy. Tools, rituals, lunar and solar stones, and the elusive Philosopher's Stone are all covered in this comprehensive guide to alchemy.


Finalist for the Coalition of Visionary Resources Award for Best Magick/Shamanism Book

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

"The Path of Alchemy lays down a golden thread for the student to follow as a guide into the secretive world of the most arcane art in the Western Inner Tradition, transporting the reader into the actual workings of laboratory alchemy. From the basics of making simple, yet powerful, spiritual and physical medicines from plants, to detailing some of the most closely guarded secrets of mineral alchemy, The Path of Alchemy holds aloft the Lantern of Nature to help illuminate the Novice's path. For those who do the work this book will ignite the spiritual flame within."
John H. Reid III, author, of Alchemical Gnosis, and A Course in Practical Alchemy

"The Path of Alchemy is an insightful, highly practical work, dedicated to the perpetuation of this ancient Art and Science. It promises what Alchemy promises: "No Work, no result," as is most certainly the case. Having myself completed all seven years of classes at the Paracelsus Research Society in the mid 1970's to early 1980's under Frater Albertus himself, I highly recommend this book. Its balance between theory and practice are what the sincere Seeker into these Mysteries needs, in order to learn from within, and accomplish in the 'without.' It is the finest piece of writing-clear, detailed, eclectically sound, and as complete as any work in this area can be-that I have seen in the past three decades. It is as indispensable as is Frater Albertus' own timeless classic, The Alchemist's Handbook."
Joseph C. Lisiewski, Ph.D., author of, Ceremonial Magic, Kabbalistic Cycles and the Mastery of Life and Kabbalistic Handbook for the Practicing Magician

"Mark Stavish has been a prolific writer on alchemy over the years and this book represents his finest work yet. It is a must for any study of alchemy in understanding the subtle side of its process. He writes with a knowledge and insight that comes from years of experience and yet is presented in an easy to read format. Mark's work is quite unique and is a valuable addition to the various alchemical paradigms that are starting to expand through the literary fields."
Pat Zalewski, author of Golden Dawn Enochian Magick and The Kabbalah of the Golden Dawn

About the Author

Mark Stavish (Pennsylvania) has been a long-time student of esotericism and is a frequent lecturer on ancient occult knowledge. Founder of the Institute for Hermetic Studies, he is the author of numerous articles on Western esotericism. In 2001 he established the Louis Claude de St. Martin Fund, a non-profit dedicated to advancing the study and practice of Western Esotericism. He has also served as a consultant to print and broadcast media and several documentaries. He holds undergraduate degrees in Theology and Communications and a Master's in Counseling.

Product Details

• Paperback: 264 pages
• Publisher: Llewellyn Publications (November 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0738709034
• ISBN-13: 978-0738709031
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #132,591 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

47 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Future Classic, November 27, 2006

By 

Powwowdoctor - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Path of Alchemy: Energetic Healing & the World of Natural Magic (Pathways to Enlightenment) (Paperback)

The Path of Alchemy - Energetic Healing and the World of Natural Magic by Mark Stavish is simply the finest book on practical alchemy that I have ever read. While focusing on introductory material and plant work, or spagyrics, it has enough meaty stuff for everyone. There is a fascinating discussion of the role of homeopathy in alchemy; extensive meditations and practices to link laboratory work (Labora) with inner work (Ora); initiation and the Tree of Life via alchemy; and some good background material on alchemy in the 20th Century. However, even the appendices are juicy in their description of the Tarot and the Alchemical process; the famed Longevity Tea of the Comte de St-Germain, similar to the confirmed recipe found in the long out of print, and very valuable biography on St. Germain by Jean Overton Fuller, and a fascinating description of the Flamel Path, of Nicholas and Pernelle Flamel, made famous in the first Harry Potter book, "The Sorcerer's Stone". If you are going to read just one book on alchemy this year, or ever, I suggest "The Path of Alchemy".

P.S. Speaking as someone with next to no background in the Art, Mark Stavish has delivered a user friendly manual that renders the most obscure and complex material in plain language. However, this does not imply that the work is simplistic. As the Alchemists say, it requires both prayer and labor, "ora et labora".

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The best of all possible beginnings, June 11, 2007

By 

Robert Elm "Coyoteknight" (Reseda California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Path of Alchemy: Energetic Healing & the World of Natural Magic (Pathways to Enlightenment) (Paperback)

This book is a true gem. Before reading it I had little interest in laboratory alchemy and while I still have little interest in the path of mineral alchemy, my interest was more than just a little piqued by this book.

Plant Alchemy or spagyria is the application of alchemical theory to herbal products. By breaking up the plant into it's "Mercury" (alcohol product), "Sulfur" (essential volatile oils) and "Salt" (the white/gray ash left over from a slow, low temperature burn) these three principles are then recombined in various ways (even producing a plant "stone") to enhance and purify the occult, energetic properties of the plant.

The true value of this book is in the author's ability to make the work seem so possible, even easy. Mr. Stavish also has the courage to admit that he believes that plant alchemy can be more than just a healing art but also has the potential to be an initiatory path in and of itself (a claim usually reserved for the path of laboratory mineral alchemy). I agree with him with the caveat that a strong energetic bond must first be forged with the very plant whose product is being worked upon. The practice of "dieting" a plant as practiced in some South American shamanic traditions would seem to be a useful practice as a preliminary to such laboratory work (see Plant Shamanism by Heaven and Charing).

The only criticism I have for this book is that it would seem to make it all look too easy. In fact I would prefer to have more guidance in the actual temperatures at which to heat the product at various stages and for how long to expect each stage to take. I would also have liked to learn more about the distillation processes as the technique Mr. Stavish goes into is only for those on a shoe string budget. However, as the title of my review states, this book is the best of all possible beginnings.

Other sources to study are the works of Junius Manifred and the works of Jean DuBuis whose works expand upon and fill in the gaps of this brilliant primer.

20 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Solid Introduction to Alchemy, February 20, 2007

By 

Time Keeper - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Path of Alchemy: Energetic Healing & the World of Natural Magic (Pathways to Enlightenment) (Paperback)

The Path of Alchemy - Energetic Healing and the World of Natural Magic, offers an interesting introduction into the philosophy and methods of alchemy as they apply to the Plant Kingdom of Nature. The author's suggested meditations are useful in that they reflect the laboratory work instead of replacing it. His techniques and ideas train the aspiring alchemist the think alchemically, and thereby better experience and understand the working of Nature.

The book also presents additional information on the stages of alchemy and its relation to the Major Arcana of the Tarot, dream work, and interpreting the Path of Flamel into an operative laboratory technique. I find all are interesting personal penchants of the author, and are aimed at those who wish to move from `spiritual' or `psychological' Alchemy into the real nuts and bolts of the Great Work by following such lines of thought. Overall, a very good read, and one that deserves the attention and effort of anyone who wants to call him or herself, "Alchemist."